Thanks to volunteers and donations from various organizations, fourth graders at Village Elementary School can participate in Robotics Club at no cost.
VEPTO, the parent-teacher organization, Hilton Education Foundation, Hilton-Parma VFW and Xerox sponsored the team and purchased the kits.
The club formed in January and 10 students have been meeting weekly with their advisors – Angela Bocuzzi-Riechert, Merton Williams Middle School library media specialist and parent, and Tammy Mullen, parent. They are hoping to compete in the FIRST Lego® League competition in November.
Using the Mindstorm program, the object is for students to program their Lego® robots through a course. “At first we had to learn how to use the program and different sensors,” said Bocuzzi-Reichert. “It’s a lot of trial and error, and brainstorming.”
Freshman Emily Mullen has been volunteering her time to help out the younger students, including her brother, Tyler. “We’re a big Lego® family,” she said. “It’s just something I love doing.”
Tyler said he recently figured out an equation and considers himself pretty smart, but that’s not the main reason he participates in Robotics. “It’s fun and we all have a good time,” he said.
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